‘Operation Snowstorm’ Helps Children in Two Lewis County School Districts
WATERTOWN — A Northern New York Community Foundation partnership that helps provide warm winter clothing to children in two Lewis County schools will continue to make a big difference for another three years.
The collaboration with the Dyson Foundation called “Operation Snowstorm” supplies Lowville Academy and Beaver River students with coats, hats, scarves, mittens, boots, and other necessary winter garments. This fall, and in 2022 and 2023, the two schools will evenly share a grant of $11,500 to support Lewis County youth and families.
Thanks to a long-standing relationship with the Dyson Foundation, the Community Foundation will help facilitate a meaningful holiday initiative to benefit students in the two school districts.
“Especially now, with continued stresses and pressures on families, this comes at a perfect time to help provide extra support as we head into the holidays and winter months,” Community Foundation Executive Director Rande Richardson said. “We know from past years that this is a program that goes immediately to work to make a difference locally.”
The Community Foundation works with staff at both schools to identify those students with the greatest need. Vouchers are provided to qualifying students and winter clothing items are purchased at the Lowville Farmers Co-Op, which has generously provided a discount to Operation Snowstorm shoppers.
Operation Snowstorm is now in its 15th year at Lowville Academy and its 10th year at Beaver River. The program helps nearly 200 Lewis County students each year. Since the partnership began in 2007, more than $130,000 has been provided to support the effort to provide winter attire to those who need it most.
“We have seen so many of our students’ needs met through the Northern New York Community Foundation collaborating to supply our families with warm winter clothing for what is typically an unforgiving season in the North Country,” Lowville Academy and Central School Superintendent Rebecca Dunckel-King said. “Now, more than ever, our Lowville Academy and Central School families need the support that Operation Snowstorm provides. We are grateful this partnership with the Foundation can help our students stay warm and safe and ready to learn.”
The Community Foundation’s work to “improve and enrich the quality of life for all,” means many Lowville elementary, middle, and high school students will receive warm clothing that will keep them safe and healthy during the coming north country winter season, Mrs. Dunckel-King added.
“We are very fortunate at Beaver River to be a part of Operation Snowstorm. This grant allows us to provide students in need with proper clothing for the upcoming winter. Operation Snowstorm enables us to make an immediate and lasting impact on the students and families who are involved,” said Tracy Adams, physical education teacher, coach, and Big Brothers Big Sisters advisor.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors, and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.